Free Software to read video files on DVD-RW

Apprentice 2 SA · 29-05-2011, 17:01

I've recorded some video using a video recorder - but that is now playing up and will not read the DVD-RW

I've tried opening the DVD on my computer, but it either gives me a small sound file (that isn't the audio of the video), or opens with nothing on it.

VLC crashes when trying to open it, which gives me confidence that there is something still there.

Is there any free software anyone could recommend.

Stig · 29-05-2011, 18:38

Your disk is scratched or corrupted. Its unlikely you will be able to recover it.

flagpole · 29-05-2011, 19:11

i would have thought that the disk was just not finalized.

God knows what you do about it.

Apprentice 2 SA · 30-05-2011, 17:13

Thanks for the replies.

grahamlthompson · 30-05-2011, 17:20

What happens if you use file explorer on a PC to look at the disc. Can you see any of the files and folders on it ?

Apprentice 2 SA · 30-05-2011, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by grahamlthompson

What happens if you use file explorer on a PC to look at the disc. Can you see any of the files and folders on it ?

It either gives me a small sound file (that isn't the audio of the video), or opens with nothing on it.

niall campbell · 30-05-2011, 21:22

have you tried Reccuva

http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/download-r.../recuva-139509

Apprentice 2 SA · 30-05-2011, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by niall campbell

have you tried Reccuva

http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/download-r.../recuva-139509

Thanks for the idea. I've downloaded it, installed it and got as far as trying to tell it where the files are.

"On a DVD" isn't one of the options, (worryingly, the 'on my media card' option specifies 'except CDs') so I clicked on "In a specific location" and browsed to the DVD drive.

Single or double clicking the DVD drive did nothing.

Right clicking the DVD drive and 'open' gives a blank folder.

Either the program doesn't work with DVDs or it wont work with mine?!?

TKDFan · 31-05-2011, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by flagpole

i would have thought that the disk was just not finalized.

God knows what you do about it.

Try putting it back in the recorder and finalize it maybe? I get this problem if I don't finalize the disk in my DVD Recorder.

It won't play in another machine.

pocatello · 31-05-2011, 09:43

If it is damaged try unstoppable copier.

Apprentice 2 SA · 31-05-2011, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by TKDFan

Try putting it back in the recorder and finalize it maybe? I get this problem if I don't finalize the disk in my DVD Recorder.

It won't play in another machine.

The video recorder is now playing up and will not read the DVD-RW. It cannot finalize it because it wont read it.

captainkremmen · 31-05-2011, 12:09

If DVD-RW is not finalised you may indeed have major problems getting your PC or other DVD players to read it.

ISOBuster. Worth a try, can sometime read the video files allowing you to extract to your HDD and then re-author.If it cannot extract the video files itself, try extracting as an ISO image then use something like Photorec (which can recover more than just photos despite it's name) to extract the MPEG files.
If you do manage to get the MPEG files extracted but still have issues getting them to be recognised by your authoring software, MPEGStreamclip can be used to fix the headers/timecodes.

Another option I suppose:

Ask your friends, if one of them has a DVD player that can read unfinalised -RW discs (they'll have to read their player's manual) you may just get lucky. But very few players actually can read unfinalised discs, just a few from Sony and Pioneer I believe. If by some miracle it works, then at least it is a start. You should then be able to copy to another DVD recorder or even your PC if you have suitable connections or equipment, such as a USB video capture device (which you can get for around £15 these days).

Apprentice 2 SA · 31-05-2011, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainkremmen

If DVD-RW is not finalised you may indeed have major problems getting your PC or other DVD players to read it.

ISOBuster. Worth a try, can sometime read the video files allowing you to extract to your HDD and then re-author.If it cannot extract the video files itself, try extracting as an ISO image then use something like Photorec (which can recover more than just photos despite it's name) to extract the MPEG files.
If you do manage to get the MPEG files extracted but still have issues getting them to be recognised by your authoring software, MPEGStreamclip can be used to fix the headers/timecodes.

Another option I suppose:

Ask your friends, if one of them has a DVD player that can read unfinalised -RW discs (they'll have to read their player's manual) you may just get lucky. But very few players actually can read unfinalised discs, just a few from Sony and Pioneer I believe. If by some miracle it works, then at least it is a start. You should then be able to copy to another DVD recorder or even your PC if you have suitable connections or equipment, such as a USB video capture device (which you can get for around £15 these days).

Thanks for the help. I had a go at ISOBuster today, but it didn't work. Thanks for the idea.

29-05-2011, 17:01	#1
Apprentice 2 SA Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,137	Free Software to read video files on DVD-RW I've recorded some video using a video recorder - but that is now playing up and will not read the DVD-RW I've tried opening the DVD on my computer, but it either gives me a small sound file (that isn't the audio of the video), or opens with nothing on it. VLC crashes when trying to open it, which gives me confidence that there is something still there. Is there any free software anyone could recommend.

29-05-2011, 18:38	#2
Stig Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK Posts: 10,385	Your disk is scratched or corrupted. Its unlikely you will be able to recover it.

29-05-2011, 19:11	#3
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	i would have thought that the disk was just not finalized. God knows what you do about it.

30-05-2011, 17:13	#4
Apprentice 2 SA Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,137	Thanks for the replies.

30-05-2011, 17:20	#5
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	What happens if you use file explorer on a PC to look at the disc. Can you see any of the files and folders on it ?

30-05-2011, 20:33	#6
Apprentice 2 SA Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,137	Quote: Originally Posted by grahamlthompson What happens if you use file explorer on a PC to look at the disc. Can you see any of the files and folders on it ? It either gives me a small sound file (that isn't the audio of the video), or opens with nothing on it.

30-05-2011, 21:22	#7
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	have you tried Reccuva http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/download-r.../recuva-139509

30-05-2011, 21:55	#8
Apprentice 2 SA Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,137	Quote: Originally Posted by niall campbell have you tried Reccuva http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/download-r.../recuva-139509 Thanks for the idea. I've downloaded it, installed it and got as far as trying to tell it where the files are. "On a DVD" isn't one of the options, (worryingly, the 'on my media card' option specifies 'except CDs') so I clicked on "In a specific location" and browsed to the DVD drive. Single or double clicking the DVD drive did nothing. Right clicking the DVD drive and 'open' gives a blank folder. Either the program doesn't work with DVDs or it wont work with mine?!?

31-05-2011, 08:42	#9
TKDFan Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,811	Quote: Originally Posted by flagpole i would have thought that the disk was just not finalized. God knows what you do about it. Try putting it back in the recorder and finalize it maybe? I get this problem if I don't finalize the disk in my DVD Recorder. It won't play in another machine.

31-05-2011, 09:43	#10
pocatello Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 8,622	If it is damaged try unstoppable copier.

31-05-2011, 11:43	#11
Apprentice 2 SA Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,137	Quote: Originally Posted by TKDFan Try putting it back in the recorder and finalize it maybe? I get this problem if I don't finalize the disk in my DVD Recorder. It won't play in another machine. The video recorder is now playing up and will not read the DVD-RW. It cannot finalize it because it wont read it.

31-05-2011, 12:09	#12
captainkremmen Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: DAVEVILLE, Daveshire DA1 1VE Posts: 33,621	If DVD-RW is not finalised you may indeed have major problems getting your PC or other DVD players to read it. ISOBuster. Worth a try, can sometime read the video files allowing you to extract to your HDD and then re-author.If it cannot extract the video files itself, try extracting as an ISO image then use something like Photorec (which can recover more than just photos despite it's name) to extract the MPEG files. If you do manage to get the MPEG files extracted but still have issues getting them to be recognised by your authoring software, MPEGStreamclip can be used to fix the headers/timecodes. Another option I suppose: Ask your friends, if one of them has a DVD player that can read unfinalised -RW discs (they'll have to read their player's manual) you may just get lucky. But very few players actually can read unfinalised discs, just a few from Sony and Pioneer I believe. If by some miracle it works, then at least it is a start. You should then be able to copy to another DVD recorder or even your PC if you have suitable connections or equipment, such as a USB video capture device (which you can get for around £15 these days).

31-05-2011, 21:57	#13
Apprentice 2 SA Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,137	Quote: Originally Posted by captainkremmen If DVD-RW is not finalised you may indeed have major problems getting your PC or other DVD players to read it. ISOBuster. Worth a try, can sometime read the video files allowing you to extract to your HDD and then re-author.If it cannot extract the video files itself, try extracting as an ISO image then use something like Photorec (which can recover more than just photos despite it's name) to extract the MPEG files. If you do manage to get the MPEG files extracted but still have issues getting them to be recognised by your authoring software, MPEGStreamclip can be used to fix the headers/timecodes. Another option I suppose: Ask your friends, if one of them has a DVD player that can read unfinalised -RW discs (they'll have to read their player's manual) you may just get lucky. But very few players actually can read unfinalised discs, just a few from Sony and Pioneer I believe. If by some miracle it works, then at least it is a start. You should then be able to copy to another DVD recorder or even your PC if you have suitable connections or equipment, such as a USB video capture device (which you can get for around £15 these days). Thanks for the help. I had a go at ISOBuster today, but it didn't work. Thanks for the idea.

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Free Software to read video files on DVD-RW